Rack Assembly that can be Folded Partially

ABSTRACT

A rack assembly includes a framework, and a foldable shelf mounted on the framework. The foldable shelf includes a support plate attached to the framework, an adjustable panel pivotally connected with the support plate, and a plurality of support legs pivotally mounted on the adjustable panel. Thus, the foldable shelf is expanded outward for use with a user and is folded when not in use. In addition, the foldable shelf can be folded when not in use so as to reduce the whole volume of the rack assembly, thereby decreasing the cost in packaging, transportation and storage of the rack assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a piece of furniture and, moreparticularly, to a rack assembly to place an appliance, such as atelevision, DVD, computer and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional rack assembly can be used to place an appliance, such asa television, DVD, computer and the like to facilitate a user placingand exhibit the appliance. However, the conventional rack assembly has alarger volume and cannot be folded to have a smaller volume when not inuse, thereby increasing the cost of packaging, storage andtransportation of the rack assembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a rackassembly, comprising a framework, and a foldable shelf mounted on theframework. The foldable shelf includes a support plate attached to theframework, an adjustable panel pivotally connected with the supportplate, and a plurality of support legs pivotally mounted on theadjustable panel. The adjustable panel of the foldable shelf ispivotally connected with the support plate by a plurality of hinges. Theadjustable panel of the foldable shelf has a bottom provided with aplurality of mounting brackets. Each of the support legs of the foldableshelf has an upper end provided with a pivot portion pivotally mountedon a respective one of the mounting brackets of the adjustable panel.The pivot portion of each of the support legs is pivotally connectedwith the respective mounting bracket of the adjustable panel by one of aplurality of pivot shafts. Each of the mounting brackets of theadjustable panel has an inner portion formed with a receiving space. Thepivot portion of each of the support legs is movable in the receivingspace of the respective mounting bracket.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a rackassembly that can be folded partially.

According to the primary advantage of the present invention, thefoldable shelf is expanded outward for use with a user and is foldedwhen not in use so as to enhance the versatility of the rack assembly.

According to another advantage of the present invention, the foldableshelf can be folded when not in use so as to reduce the whole volume ofthe rack assembly, thereby decreasing the cost in packaging,transportation and storage of the rack assembly.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, the foldableshelf can be expanded and folded easily and quickly, thereby greatlyfacilitating the user expanding and collapsing the foldable shelf.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent after a careful reading of the detailed description withappropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rack assembly in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a foldable shelf of the rack assembly asshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the foldable shelf ofthe rack assembly as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a locally enlarged view of the foldable shelf of the rackassembly as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic folded view of the foldable shelf of the rackassembly as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a schematic folded view of the foldable shelf of the rackassembly as shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-4, a rack assembly inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a framework 2, and a foldable shelf 1 mounted on the framework2.

The foldable shelf 1 includes a support plate 10 attached to theframework 2, an adjustable panel 12 pivotally connected with the supportplate 10, and a plurality of support legs 14 pivotally mounted on theadjustable panel 12.

The adjustable panel 12 of the foldable shelf 1 is pivotally connectedwith the support plate 10 by a plurality of hinges 121. The adjustablepanel 12 of the foldable shelf 1 has a bottom provided with a pluralityof mounting brackets 13. Each of the mounting brackets 13 of theadjustable panel 12 has a substantially inverted U-shaped profile andhas an inner portion formed with a receiving space 131.

Each of the support legs 14 of the foldable shelf 1 has an upper endprovided with a pivot portion 141 pivotally mounted on a respective oneof the mounting brackets 13 of the adjustable panel 12. The pivotportion 141 of each of the support legs 14 is pivotally connected withthe respective mounting bracket 13 of the adjustable panel 12 by one ofa plurality of pivot shafts 15. The pivot portion 141 of each of thesupport legs 14 is movable in the receiving space 131 of the respectivemounting bracket 13.

In practice, the adjustable panel 12 is movable relative to the supportplate 10 between a first position as shown in FIG. 2 where theadjustable panel 12 is perpendicular to the support plate 10 so as toexpand the foldable shelf 1 and a second position as shown in FIG. 6where the adjustable panel 12 is parallel with and rests on the supportplate 10 so as to fold the foldable shelf 1. In addition, each of thesupport legs 14 is movable relative to the adjustable panel 12 between afirst position as shown in FIG. 2 where each of the support legs 14 isperpendicular to the adjustable panel 12 so as to expand each of thesupport legs 14 and a second position as shown in FIG. 5 where each ofthe support legs 14 is parallel with and rests on the adjustable panel12 so as to fold each of the support legs 14.

In operation, referring to FIGS. 2-6 with reference to FIG. 1, theadjustable panel 12 initially abuts the support plate 10 as shown inFIG. 6. Then, the adjustable panel 12 is pulled outward relative to thesupport plate 10 so that the adjustable panel 12 is perpendicular to thesupport plate 10 as shown in FIG. 5. Then, each of the support legs 14is pulled outward relative to the adjustable panel 12 so that each ofthe support legs 14 is perpendicular to the adjustable panel 12 as shownin FIG. 2. Thus, the adjustable panel 12 is pulled and extended outwardfrom the support plate 10 so as to expand the foldable shelf 1 as shownin FIG. 1 for use with a user.

On the contrary, when the user wishes to fold the foldable shelf 1, eachof the support legs 14 is pushed toward the adjustable panel 12 so thateach of the support legs 14 is moved to abut the adjustable panel 12 asshown in FIG. 5. Then, the adjustable panel 12 is pushed toward thesupport plate 10 so that the adjustable panel 12 is moved to abut thesupport plate 10 as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the adjustable panel 12 isfolded onto the support plate 10 so as to fold the foldable shelf 1 asshown in FIG. 6 when not in use.

Accordingly, the foldable shelf 1 is expanded outward for use with auser and is folded when not in use so as to enhance the versatility ofthe rack assembly. In addition, the foldable shelf 1 can be folded whennot in use so as to reduce the whole volume of the rack assembly,thereby decreasing the cost in packaging, transportation and storage ofthe rack assembly. Further, the foldable shelf 1 can be expanded andfolded easily and quickly, thereby greatly facilitating the userexpanding and collapsing the foldable shelf 1.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many otherpossible modifications and variations can be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated thatthe appended claim or claims will cover such modifications andvariations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

1. A rack assembly, comprising: a framework having a vertical side; anda foldable shelf mounted on the framework; wherein the foldable shelfincludes: a support plate attached to and abutting the vertical side ofthe framework; an adjustable panel pivotally connected with the supportplate; and a plurality of support legs pivotally mounted on theadjustable panel; the adjustable panel of the foldable shelf ispivotally connected with the support plate by a plurality of hinges; theadjustable panel of the foldable shelf has a bottom provided with aplurality of mounting brackets; each of the support legs of the foldableshelf has an upper end provided with a pivot portion pivotally mountedon a respective one of the mounting brackets of the adjustable panel;the pivot portion of each of the support legs is pivotally connectedwith the respective mounting bracket of the adjustable panel by one of aplurality of pivot shafts; each of the mounting brackets of theadjustable panel has an inner portion formed with a receiving space; thepivot portion of each of the support legs is movable in the receivingspace of the respective mounting bracket; the adjustable panel ismovable relative to the support plate between a first position where theadjustable panel is perpendicular to the support plate so as to expandthe foldable shelf and a second position where the adjustable panel isparallel with and rests on the support plate so as to fold the foldableshelf; each of the support legs is movable relative to the adjustablepanel between a first position where each of the support legs isperpendicular to the adjustable panel so as to expand each of thesupport legs and a second position where each of the support legs isparallel with and rests on the adjustable panel so as to fold each ofthe support legs. 2-5. (canceled)
 6. The rack assembly of claim 1,wherein each of the mounting brackets of the adjustable panel has asubstantially inverted U-shaped profile and has an opening extending ina direction that is parallel with the support plate.
 7. (canceled) 8.(canceled)
 9. The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivot portion ofat least one of the support legs abuts and is positioned by a side ofthe adjustable panel when each of the support legs is perpendicular tothe adjustable panel.
 10. The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein each ofthe mounting brackets of the adjustable panel includes two sidewalls;the pivot portion of each of the support legs includes two sidewallsabutting the sidewalls of the respective mounting bracket of theadjustable panel.
 11. The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein each of thesupport legs is movable in a direction that is parallel with alongitudinal direction of the support plate.